Sheffield City Council has ended its search for a communications
head with the appointment of Rachel Rees, currently communications
director for the Refugee Council.
Before she joins in the new year she will help Refugee Council chief
executive Nick Hardwick find a replacement for her in what is a
particularly complicated time for the organisation.
Sheffield switched from Labour to Liberal Democrat control earlier this
year and the communications head’s brief is a new one which will span
responsibilities previously split between the council’s PR and policy
units (PR Week, 16 July).
The job includes overseeing PR, media relations, marketing, government
relations, public consultations, and revamping Sheffield’s image will
form a large part of it.
Rees said she was keen not only to take care of how national media
portray Sheffield, but also of how people who live in the city feel
about themselves.
She said: ’They have a new administration and I was convinced they
really take communication seriously and feel it’s an integral part of
getting things right for the city. I think they wanted me because we
share the same agenda - restoring the city’s pride in itself.’
The council’s PR unit is currently 17-strong, and is headed by Phil
Andrews.
Before joining the Refugee Council, Rees held communications roles at
the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the National
Housing Federation.
Council leader Peter Moore said: ’We believe Rachel will be a key factor
in ensuring the city council works effectively with the people of
Sheffield as the regeneration of the city gathers pace.’
